A Chinese national is staring down a compulsory nine-year prison term after being found guilty of illegally possessing rhino horns with an estimated value of US$120,000. The conviction of Fuxi Wang followed a full trial presided over by Harare magistrate Mrs Ruth Moyo, marking a significant victory for wildlife crime enforcement in the region. Wang, who had maintained a plea of not guilty throughout the proceedings, is scheduled to return to court for his sentencing hearing.
The court was presented with a detailed account of an undercover operation that led to Wang’s downfall. The sequence of events began on February 20th, when Wang reportedly enlisted the services of a ‘clearing agent’ to facilitate the export of what he claimed were sculptures to China. An agreement was struck for a fee of US$600, with a deposit of US$300 paid upfront.
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Chinese National Faces Nine Years In Prison For Rhino Horn Smuggling
A meeting was arranged for February 22nd to finalise the transaction. It was there, in the affluent suburb of Alexandra Park, Harare, that vigilant detectives observed Wang handing a white plastic parcel to an associate at a property gate. The associate took possession of the package and drove off in a hired Nissan X-Trail. The law enforcement team discreetly tailed the vehicle and witnessed the associate inviting the ‘agent’ into the car to complete the payment. It was at this precise moment that the officers moved in.
The detectives identified themselves and immediately confiscated the suspicious plastic bag. To ensure a transparent and official process, specialists were called to the scene. As recounted in court,
“An official from ZIMPARKS, Henry Chikonangombe, and an Immigration officer, Hugh Clapton Topera Machona, were summoned to witness the opening of the parcel.”
What was discovered inside was a carefully constructed deception. The white plastic bag concealed a khaki cardboard box, which in turn held what appeared to be pieces of sculpture. The investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Kemusi, then took decisive action to uncover the truth. The court heard how Detective Sergeant Kemusi broke the sculptures, and a pair of rhino horns was recovered inside the sculpture, wrapped in transparent white plastic.
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With the rhino horns now in plain sight, the focus shifted back to Fuxi Wang, who had been implicated by his associate during the investigation. The crucial moment came when the authorities demanded proof of legal ownership. A court official stated,
“Wang was asked to produce a licence or permit authorising him to possess the rhino horns. He failed to produce any, leading to their arrest.”
It is noteworthy that Wang’s associate was later discharged at the close of the State’s case, leaving Wang to face the consequences alone. The mandatory sentence now awaits the convicted dealer, sending a stark warning to others involved in the illicit wildlife trade.
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The post Chinese National Faces Nine Years In Prison For Rhino Horn Smuggling appeared first on iHarare News.
